Dates in Office – March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1877 (Two Terms)
Vice Presidents – Shuyler Colfax (1869-1873) and Henry Wilson (1873-1875)
Thematic Context As one of the first presidents after the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant had a large burden to bear in the way of American identity. Many of his decisions were integral in the making of what the country is today. Because of this, he chose to take large steps in the way of equality. Though Grant did not accomplish a great amount during his presidency, he did manage to win passage of the fifteenth amendment. This amendment prohibited states and the federal government from using race, color, or ones past as a slave as voting qualifications. To put it in simple terms, the passage of this act provided African Americans with much more opportunity to vote. This act proved to be vital to the establishment of American identity at this time. That is because it provided many with the ability to have a say in government which was and still is a central belief in America. Thus, the passage of the fifteenth amendment promoted America’s stance of being a government “for the people” and furthered their identity with that ideology. In addition to this, Grant advanced reconstruction to a large degree. Through decisions such as the previously stated fifteenth amendment, admittance of the final four Confederate states to the Union, and the Naturalization Act of 1870, Grant displayed America’s urge to come together once again as a nation. They also promoted the idea that the nation could bind together and the belief in equality for all, two fundamental American principles.
Thesis Coming into office, Ulysses S. Grant had little education or political experience. Nominated for his great successes in the Civil War, it was thought that he would prove as great a leader politically as he did on the battlefield. Unfortunately, those assumptions did not become entirely true, though he did accomplish some small things. While his reconstruction plan did not prove entirely successful, it did support and assist African Americans in their struggle for equality. Nonetheless, Grant’s presidency was plagued with corruption and financial insecurity and a simple unwillingness to act upon the unrighteous. Therefore, although Grant did fight for equality he lacked action when needed and showed an inability to handle a government in such a state and so deserves a grade of a D.
Goals Upon entering his presidency, Grant stated in his inaugural address, “…it is desirable that they should be approached calmly without prejudice, hate, or sectional pride, remembering that the greatest good to the greatest number is the object to be attained.”, about the questions that were to come about after the war. This quote clearly demonstrated his longing for equality in America as it exhibited his belief that the problems should be approached “without prejudice, hate, or sectional pride” meaning that race was not of importance, and what was truly significant was working towards “the greatest good” for everyone. This belief shone through in many of his decisions. Though not completely successful in his endeavors for equality, he did make progress. Through decisions such as the Ku Klux Klan Act and the fifteenth amendment he at least somewhat achieved his goal of equality. He further displayed his initial goal in this statement also from his first inaugural address, “This requires security of persons, property, and free religious and political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard to local prejudice. All laws to secure these ends will receive my best efforts for their enforcement…”. This statement elaborates on the aforementioned goal of working for the greater good through his quest for equality which, as stated, was a main goal for him in office and, for the most part, the only thing he did successfully during his administration.
Congress Due to his lack of political experience, Grant turned to Congress for help frequently and often settled for compromises in difficult situations. Though, he did exercise his veto more times than any of his predecessors, ninety-three times to be exact. Only four of these ninety-three vetoes were overridden by Congress, indicating a decent relationship between the two. Up until the last two years of his presidency, the Republicans held the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. But with the Republicans poor choices for the ongoing currency controversy, Democrats took over the House of Representatives through a desire for change. In addition to this, at this time the entirety of the White House was ridden with scandal, including Congress. And thus, also affected Congress’ ability to progress and accomplish things.
Positive Action Despite the fact that Grant often times lacked action, he did attempt to make a change through reconstruction laws during his administration. As previously stated, one of Grant’s main goals was to establish a stronger sense of equality throughout America. One of the biggest ways he did this was through a series of force bills in which the administration threatened the use of armed force against states if they denied votes to blacks, and went against terrorist organizations (i.e. Ku Klux Klan). The passage of these bills made a viable difference in the attempts these organizations took to intimidate blacks, proving themselves successful. In addition to this, Grant passed the Civil Rights Act of 1875. This act assured African Americans “full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of inns, public conveyances on land or water, theaters, and other places of public amusement.”, though it was declared unconstitutional in 1883. Both of these decisions displayed attempts toward action and one even a substantial success in the way of his goal and the country’s need, thus making Grant’s reconstruction laws his most positive action.
Negative Action Throughout the entirety of Grant’s administration, scandal and corruption were quite evident. Though Grant himself was not a corrupt man, he did not prove able to discern this in others as he appointed multiple corrupt workers into his office. Many of the scandals during his presidency, some of which his appointees were involved in, were left untouched by him. As suspected, Grant made it clear that he did not approve of the happenings, though he failed to act upon them. One of the most upsetting aspects of this part of his presidency was his reaction to the Whiskey Ring. Initially upon hearing of this scandal, Grant called for swift retribution. However, when news came that his personal secretary, Orville E. Babcock, was involved in the scandal Grant immediately interceded on his behalf. To many this was the epitome of hypocrisy. Therefore, his reaction to the scandal and corruption throughout his presidency was his most negative decision because of his blatant disregard of the corruption and scandal and hypocritical actions.
Influential Decision Despite the fact that Grant came into his presidency at a vital period in American history, he failed to make a large impact on the future of the nation. Though Grant did leave many negative impressions on the country such as the Panic of 1873, he did create one positive impact. This was the passage of the fifteenth amendment, which affected the future significantly. This amendment provided the African Americans with the ability to vote. Consequently, it furthered the desire for better treatment of blacks and for the first time gave someone besides the dominant race the ability to vote. This was a large step in the right direction for America and so making it the most influential of all of Grant’s decisions.
Conclusion In conclusion, Grant had a rough presidency. He came into office inexperienced and unprepared to lead a nation in the direction it needed to go. His administration was wrought with corruption and scandals which he failed to act upon. However, he did make a change in the country through the continuation of the post-war reconstruction program. Therefore, although Grant did influence the nation slightly, for the most part he largely disregarded his duty and was not an adequate leader, thus earning him a D for his presidency.
April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885
Political Party - Republican Party
Dates in Office – March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1877 (Two Terms)
Vice Presidents – Shuyler Colfax (1869-1873) and Henry Wilson (1873-1875)
Thematic Context
As one of the first presidents after the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant had a large burden to bear in the way of American identity. Many of his decisions were integral in the making of what the country is today. Because of this, he chose to take large steps in the way of equality.
Though Grant did not accomplish a great amount during his presidency, he did manage to win passage of the fifteenth amendment. This amendment prohibited states and the federal government from using race, color, or ones past as a slave as voting qualifications. To put it in simple terms, the passage of this act provided African Americans with much more opportunity to vote. This act proved to be vital to the establishment of American identity at this time. That is because it provided many with the ability to have a say in government which was and still is a central belief in America. Thus, the passage of the fifteenth amendment promoted America’s stance of being a government “for the people” and furthered their identity with that ideology.
In addition to this, Grant advanced reconstruction to a large degree. Through decisions such as the previously stated fifteenth amendment, admittance of the final four Confederate states to the Union, and the Naturalization Act of 1870, Grant displayed America’s urge to come together once again as a nation. They also promoted the idea that the nation could bind together and the belief in equality for all, two fundamental American principles.
Thesis
Coming into office, Ulysses S. Grant had little education or political experience. Nominated for his great successes in the Civil War, it was thought that he would prove as great a leader politically as he did on the battlefield. Unfortunately, those assumptions did not become entirely true, though he did accomplish some small things. While his reconstruction plan did not prove entirely successful, it did support and assist African Americans in their struggle for equality. Nonetheless, Grant’s presidency was plagued with corruption and financial insecurity and a simple unwillingness to act upon the unrighteous. Therefore, although Grant did fight for equality he lacked action when needed and showed an inability to handle a government in such a state and so deserves a grade of a D.
Goals
Upon entering his presidency, Grant stated in his inaugural address, “…it is desirable that they should be approached calmly without prejudice, hate, or sectional pride, remembering that the greatest good to the greatest number is the object to be attained.”, about the questions that were to come about after the war. This quote clearly demonstrated his longing for equality in America as it exhibited his belief that the problems should be approached “without prejudice, hate, or sectional pride” meaning that race was not of importance, and what was truly significant was working towards “the greatest good” for everyone. This belief shone through in many of his decisions. Though not completely successful in his endeavors for equality, he did make progress. Through decisions such as the Ku Klux Klan Act and the fifteenth amendment he at least somewhat achieved his goal of equality. He further displayed his initial goal in this statement also from his first inaugural address, “This requires security of persons, property, and free religious and political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard to local prejudice. All laws to secure these ends will receive my best efforts for their enforcement…”. This statement elaborates on the aforementioned goal of working for the greater good through his quest for equality which, as stated, was a main goal for him in office and, for the most part, the only thing he did successfully during his administration.
Congress
Due to his lack of political experience, Grant turned to Congress for help frequently and often settled for compromises in difficult situations. Though, he did exercise his veto more times than any of his predecessors, ninety-three times to be exact. Only four of these ninety-three vetoes were overridden by Congress, indicating a decent relationship between the two.
Up until the last two years of his presidency, the Republicans held the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. But with the Republicans poor choices for the ongoing currency controversy, Democrats took over the House of Representatives through a desire for change. In addition to this, at this time the entirety of the White House was ridden with scandal, including Congress. And thus, also affected Congress’ ability to progress and accomplish things.
Positive Action
Despite the fact that Grant often times lacked action, he did attempt to make a change through reconstruction laws during his administration. As previously stated, one of Grant’s main goals was to establish a stronger sense of equality throughout America. One of the biggest ways he did this was through a series of force bills in which the administration threatened the use of armed force against states if they denied votes to blacks, and went against terrorist organizations (i.e. Ku Klux Klan). The passage of these bills made a viable difference in the attempts these organizations took to intimidate blacks, proving themselves successful. In addition to this, Grant passed the Civil Rights Act of 1875. This act assured African Americans “full and equal enjoyment of the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of inns, public conveyances on land or water, theaters, and other places of public amusement.”, though it was declared unconstitutional in 1883. Both of these decisions displayed attempts toward action and one even a substantial success in the way of his goal and the country’s need, thus making Grant’s reconstruction laws his most positive action.
Negative Action
Throughout the entirety of Grant’s administration, scandal and corruption were quite evident. Though Grant himself was not a corrupt man, he did not prove able to discern this in others as he appointed multiple corrupt workers into his office. Many of the scandals during his presidency, some of which his appointees were involved in, were left untouched by him. As suspected, Grant made it clear that he did not approve of the happenings, though he failed to act upon them. One of the most upsetting aspects of this part of his presidency was his reaction to the Whiskey Ring. Initially upon hearing of this scandal, Grant called for swift retribution. However, when news came that his personal secretary, Orville E. Babcock, was involved in the scandal Grant immediately interceded on his behalf. To many this was the epitome of hypocrisy. Therefore, his reaction to the scandal and corruption throughout his presidency was his most negative decision because of his blatant disregard of the corruption and scandal and hypocritical actions.
Influential Decision
Despite the fact that Grant came into his presidency at a vital period in American history, he failed to make a large impact on the future of the nation. Though Grant did leave many negative impressions on the country such as the Panic of 1873, he did create one positive impact. This was the passage of the fifteenth amendment, which affected the future significantly. This amendment provided the African Americans with the ability to vote. Consequently, it furthered the desire for better treatment of blacks and for the first time gave someone besides the dominant race the ability to vote. This was a large step in the right direction for America and so making it the most influential of all of Grant’s decisions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Grant had a rough presidency. He came into office inexperienced and unprepared to lead a nation in the direction it needed to go. His administration was wrought with corruption and scandals which he failed to act upon. However, he did make a change in the country through the continuation of the post-war reconstruction program. Therefore, although Grant did influence the nation slightly, for the most part he largely disregarded his duty and was not an adequate leader, thus earning him a D for his presidency.
Bibliography
DeGregorio, William A.. The complete book of U.S. presidents. seventh ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books , 2009. Print.
"Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution>.
Kennedy, David M. , Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant. twelfth ed. New York Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company , 2002. Print.
"Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Ulysses_S._Grant>.
"Presidential Vetoes." The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/data/vetoes.php>
"The Battle Over Reconstruction ." EDSITEment | The Best of the Humanities on the Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://edsitement.neh.gov/curriculum-unit/battle-over-reconstruction>.
"Ulysses S. Grant." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulysses_S._Grant>.